22 lr hand gun

+1 on Squibb's ... I have the Beretta NEOS (also in INOX) with the 4.5" barrel (also have a 22A and a Buckmark). Great feeling grip, great balance with the grip moved forward (drill makers figured this out years ago), reliable, accurate, and price friendly (the INOX pushes it up over $300 but in black they go for well under 300). Other pluses on it, interchangeable barrels, built in accessory rail, and easy to clean (all areas where the Ruger comes up short).
 
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I think the Ruger MKII/III and Browning Buckmark are the standard. My preference is for the Buckmark, but I'd not turn down a good deal on a Ruger.
 
For a woman the Neos might be a good choice. It does have a small grip. My wife likes both of hers. She also likes shooting the Buckmark Camper too. Field stripping the Neos is easier to do. While the Ruger Mark ? is accurate enough and reliable enough too I don't care for what is needed to field strip them. It doesn't mean I can't do it. I just like thing less complicated in my life. The S & W 22A-1 works well in man sized hands but may be too large for a woman. It helps to know the size of the hands for making suggestion.

The slide on the Neos is easy to operate as well.
 
I wonder if a letter writing campaign might get S&W to bring back the J-frame .22 with a 3" or 4" barrel (the old .22/.32 Kit Gun). It would be a great trainer for those owning other J-frames as well as a plinker, a woods gun, and even an SD gun if necessary.

Jim
 
Ruger made the MkIII to conform to CA's new laws. Most feel the MkII is superior, but all we can get legally here in CA is the MKIII, so I personally can't compare the MkII to the MkIII. :(

I bought my wife a Phoenix Arms 22lr just because it was ridiculously cheap (impulse buy) and it has actually turned out to be a decent little gun (when the 5" barrel is used). My only gripes are that it is a real bear to disassemble and clean, and has WAY too many safeties on it. Accuracy wise it is OK. Not a tack driver, but good enough for her to hit a 6" target at 15yds repeatedly. (And she is very new to shooting, so keep that in mind.) I don't use it much because I prefer my 9mm's.
 
Ruger made the MkIII to conform to CA's new laws. Most feel the MkII is superior, but all we can get legally here in CA is the MKIII, so I personally can't compare the MkII to the MkIII.
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Well, Ruger MK series 22s are a bit of a pain in the butt to detail strip and reassemble. My only experience is with the MK II, and I do have to agree with the PIB assessment. It isn't terrible, but it is one of the more challenging handguns to disassemble and reassemble.

From what I have heard, the MK III and 22/45 are an even bigger PIB than the I and II.
 
Thanks

Thanks Guys I never expected this much information. I am going to take your advice and Pick up and handle all the guns you recommended. I hope to get out this weekend.

Thanks again

Vic:)
 
While I really like my slab-side Ruger, I LOVE my Colt Target Model. Might be a little hard to find but not impossible. Find a good one and you will not be sorry.
 
I wonder if a letter writing campaign might get S&W to bring back the J-frame .22 with a 3" or 4" barrel (the old .22/.32 Kit Gun). It would be a great trainer for those owning other J-frames as well as a plinker, a woods gun, and even an SD gun if necessary.
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I think S&W would prefer a check writing campaign.:D Who's first?
 
I wonder if a letter writing campaign might get S&W to bring back the J-frame .22 with a 3" or 4" barrel (the old .22/.32 Kit Gun). It would be a great trainer for those owning other J-frames as well as a plinker, a woods gun, and even an SD gun if necessary.
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That would be the S&W 317,,,
160221_01_md.jpg


Or the Model 43C
160043_01_md.jpg


Or the Model 63
162634_01_md.jpg


Or the other Model 317 Airweight
160222_01_md.jpg


I do agree with your thoughts though,,,
I own a Model 36 snubbie in .38 Special,,,
As well as a Model 34 snub-nose in .22LR ,,,
Excellent practice companion using cheap ammo.

Ran 150 rounds through her just yesterday evening.

.
 
Have owned and shot Ruger MKI, MKII and MKIII. The MKIII has a loaded chamber indicator, Magazine disconnect and a magazine release behind the trigger. The loaded chamber indicator is a don't care (IMHO), the magazine disconnect (can't fire with our the mag in the gun) is a pain when reassembling the gun and the Mag release behind the trigger is a plus (located like on a 1911). The basic gun is the same except for these changes.
 
The buckmark is by far the best shooting .22 pistol I have shot. I would have to say it is the most accurate pistol I have shot period.
 
The Ruger Mk series are pretty sweet little guns. Don't count out the Bearcat...super neat little single action revolvers. I also have a soft spot for the Browning Buckmark, I think you'll like the trigger. I can't take the looks of the Neos...you may feel the same way once you look at one. :barf:


For me:
Buckmark
Mk II or III
Bearcat


Oh, I forgot. I also have a Colt 22 (they tried to call them Cadet, but ran into some trouble with trademark or copyright laws or something.) Solid gun. Really solid. No longer made :( If you could find one of them, it'd be worth a look.

I'm rambling.
 
The usual suspects are well covered, but bowling pin shoots?

I have to tell ya, I did a lot of experimenting with loads and bullets for my Randall .45 I used for bowling pins, there were times I'd have to hit the same pin a few times. I used heavy semi wadcutters (for the flat edge lip) and bumped the velocity a tad higher than I would normally use for target shooting. I never tried it but I don't think a .22 is going to move them around much.

The Ruger bull barreled target models are really nice, buy used and you've got a huge array of options to look for. Keep an eye out for one that has trigger work done and you'll be happy you did. The good options have been well covered. The S&W is a nice pistol.
 
Oh, I forgot. I also have a Colt 22 (they tried to call them Cadet, but ran into some trouble with trademark or copyright laws or something.) Solid gun. Really solid. No longer made If you could find one of them, it'd be worth a look.
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Or you can pick up a Beretta Neo, which is the reincarnation of the Colt22, which was the reincarnation of the High Standard Duramatic.

http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/05/brett-solomon/gun-review-beretta-u22-neos-inox/

I had a Colt22 once. Although I liked it, I really thought the grip felt way too angled, even by Ruger MKI/MKII standards.

You can lump me into the crowd endorsing the Rugers MK series.
 
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